Values-Based Investing and Philanthropy: A Conversation with Astia’s Sharon Vosmek
Giving and investing often live in separate conversations. Claire Martin sits down with Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia, and Ali Marchand, who leads Bespoke’s impact team, to explore how some families are thinking about values-based investing, including early-stage venture capital, alongside philanthropy as ways to reflect what matters to them.
Why Less Than 2% of Venture Capital Goes to Women CEOs
Sharon has spent 30 years studying venture capital. She shares that less than 2% of venture dollars each year have gone to women CEOs, and she sees that gap as an opportunity to build. She also talks about founders working on real-world problems in areas like health and sustainability, and how Astia approaches gender lens investing by evaluating businesses with structure and rigor.
Women, Wealth, and Values Across Generations
Ali and Sharon talk about the bridge between values, philanthropy, and investing, and how it can open up conversations between partners and across generations, especially as more wealth moves into the hands of women. It’s a conversation about perspective, not a recommendation, and a look at how families might think about the full range of ways wealth can reflect their values.
Materials Referenced: https://www.astia.org/thought-leadership
ABOUT THE GUESTS
Series A/B Investor, Board Member, Advisor, Speaker, fierce advocate for my portfolio and champion of teams that include women leaders!
An early stage investor, board member and startup advisor for 20+ years.
Architect behind the Astia Expert Sift – Astia’s proven approach to investment that greatly reduces bias in the investment screening process. Developed nearly twenty years ago, the Sift is documented, rigorous and proven to screen for the best investments while eliminating individual, network and process bias. Harnessing the wisdom of the Astia Advisor Community, while muting group think, the Sift is Astia’s “golden egg” that consistently sources, screens and selects innovative companies for investment consideration.
I am well-regarded by entrepreneurs and investors around the globe and known best for my opinions, research and commentary on the importance of women leaders as integral to innovation and high-performing entrepreneurial teams. I have spoken at the United Nations and given lectures at numerous universities on the topic of building inclusive ecosystems.
Investor, Startup Advisor, Board Member, Speaker
From $10 billion hedge funds and digital asset firms to individual financial planners, Ali has worked with a broad spectrum of clients. She has played key roles in several startups and founded her own financial marketing business in 2019.
Ali delivers timely insights into the evolving world of sustainable investment strategies and helps structure investments—both at the individual position level and across broader portfolio universes.
Approachable and open, Ali believes no question is too small. She embraces a beginner’s mindset, confident that continuous curiosity leads to lifelong learning.
In addition to seamlessly balancing her career with the joys (and challenges) of motherhood, Ali puts bankers through the ‘spin cycle’ as an indoor cycling coach in Zurich. She also enjoys traveling through Europe—especially to Paris and Amsterdam—exploring nutrition, and diving into murder mysteries.
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